Despite signs of life from the offense starting mid-way through the second quarter it was another week of too little, too late for the Green Bay Packers.
Tennessee thought they could catch the Packers napping with an onside kick to start the game and stun them like the Colts did a week earlier.
That effort failed, but it was 1 - 2 - 3 - kick for the Pack and the Titans marched down the field and scored.
And scored. And scored. It was 21 - 0 and some of the large number of Packer - backers in Nissan Stadium were still finding their seats.
Green Bay scored first in the second quarter, but Tennessee answered. The Packers got a field goal and the Titans got a touchdown. Aaron Rodgers led another TD drive, but the extra point missed and it was 35 - 16 at the half.
There was a brief glimmer of hope early in the fourth quarter when the Pack pulled within two scores, but Tennessee answered again and the game was essentially over.
It's tempting to throw all of this at the feet of the defense, but the non-existent offense to start the game and nothing special from the special teams were incredibly disappointing. Again.
This is the first time since 2008 Green Bay has had a sub-.500 record nine games into the season. 2008 was Rodger's first year.
It's unfamiliar territory. For the players, the coaches, management, and fans.
I don't think there was any lack of effort or "want to;" but these results aren't just because a bunch of players are hurt, either.
As they say, "it's getting late early," and Green Bay needs to find a higher level of urgency and execution as they stay on the road with a trip to Washington Sunday night.
I can't bring myself to say the season is lost. It's not. There is still opportunity (thanks, in part, to Washington beating Minnesota yesterday) since Green Bay is one of a bunch of teams with mediocre records.
It's also fair to say no one was picturing a 4 - 5 record as we approach Thanksgiving.
The defense needs to swarm to the ball consistently - tackling ball carriers, sacking quarterbacks, and breaking up passes (generating some turnovers would be a huge help, too).
The offense needs to get moving when the whistle blows and keep it rolling on the ground and through the air.
Only Packer fans in their 40's or older can really remember the teams of the 1970's and 80's when four wins was a light on the horizon.
Four wins in 2016 is a light as well, but this time it seems to belong to an oncoming train.
LET'S GO PACK!
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